Valve control system and method
US11612160B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 2021 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01F2007/1888
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A sprayer control system includes a plurality of smart nozzles each having at least one control valve with a valve operator, an electronic control unit for the valve operator, and one or more spray nozzles. The at least one control valve and the ECU control a flow rate of liquid agricultural product through the nozzles. A duty cycle modulator is in communication with the ECU and generates an applied duty cycle for the at least one control valve. The duty cycle modulator includes a specified duty cycle input having a specified duty cycle and a pressure monitor associated with the at least one control valve. A pressure comparator compares the valve pressure determined with the pressure monitor with a system pressure and generates a pressure error. An applied duty cycle generator generates the applied duty cycle based on the specified duty cycle modified by the pressure error.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.